Whatever the activity, you want to
be able to talk comfortably while
doing it.

Time: try to exercise for 15 minutes,
even if it means reducing the
intensity. Rest if you need to.

Type: pick non-weight-bearing
or low-impact endurance exercise
such as walking, stationary cycling,
aquatic exercise and low-impact
aerobics. These are great options as
they are easy on the joints, which are,
because of hormonal changes, more
likely to be injured. Other options
include yoga, dance and resistance
training.

Exercise can also reduce some
complications in pregnancy, such as
hypertension, gestational diabetes
and inflammatory bowel disease
(IBD). In the case of IBD—which
includes several illnesses such as
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative
colitis—exercise can help pregnant
women stay healthy. In turn, this
may help them avoid flare-ups of the
disease and blood clots.

“Pregnancy itself has an increased
risk of developing blood clots and
pregnant women with IBD have a
higher risk as well, because of the
inflammation going on,” says Dr.

Vivian Huang, an AIHS clinician
research fellow who studies IBD in
pregnant women.

Knowing your limits is important.

And if you experience any of thefollowing, stop exercising andcontact your health-care providerright away:•;Excessive;shortness;of;breath•;Chest;pain•;Painful;uterine;contractions(more than six to eight in anhour)